What's your best idea to make Akron more successful?

10/02/2014

Downtown Akron

Here's a great opportunity to make a difference for our community.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation's Knight Cities Challenge is an open call for breakthrough ideas to improve communities. Students, faculty and staff are invited to a special forum with Josh McManus, the Akron-based program director of the Knight Foundation, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre to learn more about this exciting contest.

The University of Akron

Josh McManus


From now through Nov. 14, applicants from around the United States are invited to share their "ideas for making the 26 Knight communities (one of which is Akron) more vibrant places to live and work." Grants of all sizes will be awarded from a pool of $5 million for the most innovative projects that focus on one or more of three key drivers of a city's success -- talent, opportunity and engagement. UA has much to offer in those areas, so bring your best thinking about additional ways we can positively impact the greater Akron community.

Prior to joining the Knight Foundation in July, McManus was founder and inventor at Little Things Lab, a problem-solving laboratory that worked with private foundations in post-industrial American cities. Read more about him.

A free lunch will be provided to the first 150 who RSVP to Dana Zaratsian at dmz3@uakron.edu.